What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a very common condition and is often overlooked. It can be easily picked up by regular dentist and hygienist visits. These visits can also help to prevent the start of gum disease and are both included in our dental insurance policies.

When 90% of adults in the UK have some form of gym disease that can lead to much worse dental conditions. It often isn't a painful condition, so can easily go undiagnosed. A dental insurance policy is a great way to preserve your oral health.

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What are the main types of gum disease?

There are three main types of gum disease: gingivitis, periodontitis, and acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG).

Gingivitis

If you don't clean and floss your teeth regularly, this can lead to gingivitis as it is caused by a buildup of plaque.

Periodontitis

This is often caused by undiagnosed/untreated gingivitis and is when the inflammation spreads to the ligaments and bones that hold your teeth in place. If this happens, your gums may begin to pull away from your teeth, this leaves pockets where plaque can build up and is not easily removed by brushing your teeth.

When this occurs, the plaque will build up and turn to tartar, which can irritate your gums and further increase the production of tartar. This becomes increasingly harder to clean and in worst cases an infection under the gums can ensue. If periodontitis goes untreated, your gums will continue to shrink back and this can expose your teeth roots, increasing sensitivity.

If your gingivitis has developed into periodontitis, you may experience the following symptoms:

Bad breath (halitosis)
Gum recession and sensitive teeth
A wobbly tooth
A bad taste in your mouth
Gum abscesses (pus that collects under your gum

If you have any of these symptoms, we recommend you contact a dentist. These two conditions are easily spotted by regular visits to the dentist and hygienist and, when caught early enough, are easily treated. As regular check-ups are included in all our dental insurance policies, you are covered for gum disease prevention.

Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG)

ANUG is a serious type of gum disease that develops suddenly. It is a bacterial infection that causes swelling, ulcers, bad breath (halitosis) and pain. ANUG must be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.

The symptoms of ANUG include

If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a dentist straight away.

Very painful ulcers that bleed easily
Bad breath (halitosis)
A metallic taste in your mouth
Difficulty swallowing or talking
Having a lot of saliva in your mouth
You may also have a high temperature and feel generally unwell

If you would like to find out more about how dental insurance can help you and your employees, please contact us.

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